Puzzle game apparatus.



E. G. JOHNSTON.

PUZZLE GAME APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 3, 1909.

Patented June 11, 1912.

if ll wamm UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

OHIO.

EDWARD G. JOHNSTON, or'coruiyi aus,

PUZZLE GAME APPARATUS.v

Patented June 11, 1912.

Application filed April 3, 1909. Serial No. 487,706.

1,029,016 Specification of Letters Patent.

' a heavier material than that of which the body of the ball is formed, the outer surface of the plug being rounded to conform to the To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD G. JOHNSTON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Columbus, in the county of Franklin and surface ofthe ball. State of Ohio, have invented certain new It will be understood that the object to and useful Improvements in Puzzle Game be accomplished in the playing of the game Apparatus, of which the following is a is to so tip or manipulate the box or case 1, specification. as to induce all of the balls to run into My invention relates to the improvement the mouth of the partial inclosure at the of puzzle game apparatus and the objects of side of the box and to cause said balls to my invention are to provide a simple and lie in the relative positions shown in Fig. 1 inexpensive game device, the successful of the drawing, in which the surfaces of the manipulation of which will require skill ballsare against or adjacent to the inner and at the same time furnish amusement. surface of the strip 3. Ordinarily this is This object I accomplish in the manner accomplished by first so tipping the box or illustrated in the accompanying drawing,in case, as to induce two of the balls to enter which: the compartment, then further manipulat- Figure 1 is a plan view of my improved ing the device in such manner as to cause game device, Fig. 2 is a sectional view on the third ball to enter said compartment line m-a: of Fig. 1 and, Fig. 3 is an enand to pass between the two balls previously larged central sectional view of one of the introduced therein. balls which I employ. In further explanation of the operation Similar numerals refer to similar parts of my improved puzzle game apparatus, it throughout the several views. will be noted that the pocket or compart- In carrying out my invention, I employ a ment which serves as the goal for the substantially cup-like casing 1 ofmetal or player, is of a size calculated to receive the other suitable material, the vertical wall three balls comfortably and no more. In of which has its upper edge portion recessed addition, it will be observed that the ends to receive a transparent disk or cover plate of the compartment are turned inwardly to 2. Within the box and at one side thereof, form a gateway and that this gateway is of I provide a pen or partial inclosure, which such a size in comparison with the depth of is produced by bending a strip of sheet the pocket or compartment at this point, metal or similar material 3, into an elonthat it will be an impossibility to cause a gated C-form, the ends of the strip being third ball to enter such compartment when curved or bent inward to form separate one of the two balls already in the compartand substantially hook-shaped terminals 3 ment is disposed in front of such gate. Be- At the center of its length, the strip 3 has cause of these combined dimensions and its rear portion secured by soldering or structural features, it becomes impossible to otherwise, to the inner surface of the vercause the ball to enter the compartment untical wall of the case body 1, said strip thus less the two balls already in the compartbeing made to form an elongated pen or ment are disposed at either end thereof. partial inclosing space at one side of the It is obvious that by drawing or bending center of the box or case. Within the box, the end portions of the strip 3 inward or I also employ a plurality of balls 4:, there toward each other and thereby contracting being preferably three of these balls in the space within the compartment or inclonumber and the same being free to roll upon sure, the playing of the game or the attainthe fioor or upper side of the box or casing ment of the object in the playing of the bottom. In constructing each of the balls game, may be rendered more diflicult. 4, I provide the same with an internal re- In view of the fact that each of the balls cess, which may be of the straight form is weighted at one point on its periphery, shown at 4? in Fig. 3 of the drawing, or or weighted out of center, it will be underwhich may be in the nature of an elongated stood that difiiculty will be met in causing hollow space within said ball. This interthe first two balls introduced into the compartment to remain seated at the ends of said compartment until the third ball is introduced between said first two balls, unless has leading outward the mouth of which closure plug 5 of nal chamber or space therefrom an opening 4*, is securely closed by a the Weighted points of said balls first introduced, are down or in contact with the bot tom of the case and owing to the fact that the entire periphery of the ball is so coated or plated as to prevent the weight point being observed, it willbe understood that the difiiculty of attaining the object of the game, will be increased.

What I claim, is:

l. Puzzle-game apparatus comprising a receptacle having a plane surface, three balls movable about said plane surface by the tilting of the receptacle, and a pocket approximately of a size to receive allof said balls, said pocket having its ends turned inwardly to form a narrow gateway for the passage of the balls and being of less depth than twice the diameter of a ball.

2. The combination with a cup-like casing, of a C-shaped compartment located therein and against the wall of said casing, the ends of said compartment terminating in inturned hook-like portions, and balls adapted to roll within said casing, ,the size and form of saidcompartment being such as to permit the passage of only one of said balls between one end of the compartment wall, and a second ball at the center of the length of and in contact with said compartment wall.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

EDWARD Gr. JOHNSTON.

WVitnesses:

' C. C. SHEPHERD,

A. L. PHELPS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

